Who: Pepper and Dung Where: The Ministry holding cells When: Wednesday night What: Dung wants to chillax with his homie Salt Rating: PG Status: Complete/AIM
Contrary to appearances and popular opinion, Pepper actually did get quite a lot done when he was working. In fact sometimes he felt a little bit like he lived in the DMLE. Given the amounts of reports and paperwork he'd been going through all day, he was actually sort of glad to get down to the holding cells for what was bound to be some rather bizarre social time with Dung. Unlikely he'd had a bath anytime recently, unfortunately, but who knew, maybe he could pick up something interesting. Information-wise, that was; there were numerous other things he could probably pick up from the vagrant that he'd rather not.
He went through the check-in and down the holding cell corridor, headed for the one at the end that Dung seemed to prefer, dinner tray in hand. "Food's up," he announced, sliding it through the slot in the door for him to take.
Dung had been deeply asleep when suddenly the slot opened and he sat up, hand on his wand instantly. He had been in a bit deeper asleep than usual because the bed was infinitely more comfortable that the ground he had been sleeping on before. And it was warmer which made him a little bit drowsier than he usually felt. He yawned as he rubbed his face, looking to see who had brought the food and nodded his head. "Salt, good ta see ya mate, how's the pockets doing?" he asked before eyes lit upon the food and he grinned.
"Dunna tell me the pretty lass made ya bring me the food, and I was looking fer a bit of fun tonight, yer all are real strict about the keepin' us in the rooms for th' night yannow," he said moving to sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before moving to pick up the tray and bring it back to the bed, forgoing the utensils to eat. "Yer gonna come in here and try ta win back that money yer lost last time or yer gonna stay out there? I ain't dangerous yannow."
"I'm pretty sure I could take you," Pepper replied with a grin, looking through the grate at Dung. He wasn't sure how often, exactly, the footpad got to eat, but he wasn't exactly heavy, and that alone was a disadvantage against him. "Jo, though, that's another story. I do all her dirty work, I'm just hoping one day it'll pay off and I'll be able to get a look down her shirt."
He looked back down the hallway to see that no one else was really around, and he'd handed in his wand at check in. If it hadn't been just Dung they'd have taken his as well, but they tended to be lax when he came in. He was a bit like an old friend. Pushing himself off from the wall he was leaning on, he unbolted the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him. "I came out ahead last time, remember?"
"Probably yeah, ain't had fucking shit ta eat for a week the fuckin' bloomin' stupid twat headed cunts," Dung muttered as he took a bite of whatever he was eating, not really paying attention or elaborating on who exactly they were. He continued to eat, listening to Pepper before grinning. "Push her in some water or sommathin' like that mate, works all the time," he replied with a shake of his head. "Make sure she's wearing white though, otherwise it dunna work as well."
Dung knew most of the guards in the place, he'd even had a drink with a few of them over the time. He had probably even gambled with a few of them outside of the cell. "Well I dunna know, did yer check yer pockets after th' game?" he asked around a mouthful of food.
"Like I don't know to leave my wallet behind when I come in here. There's a reason you get to stay here free of charge. Did you at least manage to hawk the necklace before Jo found you?" It was funny and depressing watching Dung eat, shovelling food into his mouth like it was going to disappear at any moment. Pepper ate a lot and quickly as well, but that was more metabolism and energy use than the honest unsurety over where the next meal was coming from. "I'll remember the advice if we ever get a pond in the office," he said drily.
"Dunna mean yer might not have sommathin' else thata I'd be able ta jack mate," Dung continued as he swallowed before licking his fingers and wiping them on his pants before looking down at the tray, making sure it was clean of food before putting it down to the side. "Yer lot think I'm stupid or sommathin, course I hawked it. Gave it ta the old bloke up by the mouth of Diagon for 5 galleons and got this," he said before fumbling through his pocket before pulling out a pendant. "Supposed ta bring good luck or sommathin like that, think it twas a waste of money, got brought in by the pretty lady," he said shaking his head with a sigh. "Not like yer lot are doin' much else from what I've been hearin'."
Pepper shrugged. "I had to ask. Have to take your wand, too, by the way. Not supposed to have them down here. You know, in case we play poker later, can't have you transfiguring the cards." He held his hand out for it, glancing askance at the pendant for a moment before putting it out of his mind. The pendant wasn't stolen. Got with stolen merchandise, yeah, but he didn't particularly feel like playing hard arse with Dung. He'd save that for the next time he ran into Jo.
Dung nodded his head, used to everything by now. He drew his wand out and handed it over to Pepper. "Dunna mind, ain't got much use fer the thin, only have it for tight spots and the wards," he said before lying down on the bed and smirking. "Of course I change ta cards, how did yer think I got the money?" he asked shrugging his shoulders. "Aside from ta fact that I'm good at th'game." He saw the glance at the pendant and nodded his want. "Wanna it? For the pretty lass yer wanna see naked?" he asked. "She might be impressed, right bit o'fine jewelry here, helps with the bad things at night."
Accepting dubious merchandise from a prisoner, that would look good on his record. "She'd probably just get freaked out if I gave her a nice present. She might think I was a Death Eater plant and try to hex me or something, which would be kinky, but not exactly what I usually go in for." Speaking of, they were considering whether Dung was involved with them, weren't they? It was a ridiculous suggestion to anyone who actually knew him, but Pepper supposed he might as well look into it, while he was down there. "Heard anything about them, around Knockturn or anywhere?"
Dung snorted at that. "Borin' gal then is she ain't dun like nutin' freaky like that ain't she?" he asked closing his eyes and making himself comfortable. "Ya'll got some nice beds in this here place, kinda makes a man want ta take up crime as a life long job," he said amused for a moment by his statement. "Of course ya'll already think I am some kinda crook so what's the point, I ain't not no crook, ma Da is a crook, Liam Crook ya'see?" he asked opening one eye to peer blearily out at Pepper, the food in his stomach making him happy and a bit drowsy. "Hear what about who mate? Yer gotta be a bit more specific like, lots of Death Eaters been talkin'."
"Any Death Eaters. We're kind of at a disadvantage here, needing all that fiddly evidence and the burden of proof and all. Right now... we hardly know where to start." He tried to keep the defeatism out of his voice, pushing it to the back of his mind determinedly like he'd done so many times before. He was just tired, that was all. But it would be worth it if he could get even one name, even if it came to nothing, just something he could hold onto.
Dung knew quite a bit, but he wasn't about to tell the ministry. All his knowledge was for the Order and no one else, but that didn't mean the couldn't throw them a bone or something, this bed was rather comfortable. "The bloke with the big head has been doin' somamthin' with the skinny bloke with the black hair. They keep talkin' about fairies and the like, dunna know what they're for. Might be referrin' ta the pub down by the th' Leaky, but not the Leaky yannow the one I'm talkin' 'bout mate?" Dung asked sitting up a bit. "Word has it that they've been servin' fairy dust up as a bit of fun fer the rich kids, makes em a bit lala. Dunna know why'd they wanna bother with that shite, I know where you can get a good bit o' cannabi if ye wanted some?"
"No, I have my own supplier," Pepper said absently, thinking the information over. It didn't sound particularly useful, but he'd log it anyway when he went upstairs. One of the ickles could see if it went anywhere, though it'd be much more likely a drug bust, and that really wasn't his area of expertise. "Well, I should probably get back onto the paperwork piling up on my desk, there's only so much I can make my partner do before he gets cranky and throws a sulk."
"Who ye be gettin' it from then mate?" Dung asked turning his head. "I only know of two other suppliers who have th' good stuff and I ain't ever seen ye around them," Dung said relaxing back. "Yer stuff ain't laced innit?" he asked not actually worried so much. Pepper wasn't a good mate, but Dung didn't mind the bloke and so just wanted to make sure he wasn't getting anything wrong. "There's been a bit of trouble I hear with th' lil'uns down at Gringotts," he said referring to the goblins. "Somebody attempted ta steal sommathin, or someone said they would or sommathin like that," he said before shrugging his shoulders. "Or ye could get me another plate of food and be a good lad?"
"Spose they're mighty pissed about that." He'd look into that as well, at least see if anything had been reported, though the goblins were notoriously close. It was possible that even if it was true they wouldn't notify the DMLE. "There's a guy in the testing lab, morally opposed to disposing of things he can sell to hard-working Ministry employees who need to relax. Spose you want me to ask one of the nice secretary lasses to bring the food? They're a lot prettier than me."
"Last time I checked the bloke was still frothin' at the mouth, but then again he ain't never not been that smart to begin with so whoda know anyway?" Dung replied before nodding his head. "How good is his stuff? Been lookin ta get me inta that sorta thing, got some good money if ye can do it right," he offered pressing himself up onto his elbow and nodded his head. "Only if those pretty lasses can handle a peice of Dung in their lives," Dung said with a cheeky smirk. "Most lasses canna."
Pepper laughed, unfolding his arms lazily. "You know, you probably shouldn't be talking to a hitwizard about your plans to expand into drug running. Career-wise, it's a bit of a killer. I'll go find you one of the secretaries who've been here a few years, they're used to dealing with reprobates. Then you might as well get some sleep without worrying someone's going to sneak up on you."
"Well I'm talkin' to the hitperson who told me that he smokes," Dung replied. "So I think we're on the same rocking horse here mate," he continued on rolling onto his back before grinning. "Is she a pretty lass, little Dung's been a bit lonely lately," he replied rollin' his eyes. "Ain't not got enough money ta visit the ladies often, which is a shame, I've been missin some prime theater right there," he said before nodding his head. "Some sleep would be good, ain't not gotten one of those in a jiff."
That was a valid point, Pepper supposed, given that entrapment was illegal, and he acknowledged it with a head tilt. "We only hire pretty girls, Dung. Got to have something around here to keep us coming back." Grinning a bit, he slid the door open to let himself out, checking the bolt firmly before he left. Dung was harmless, but he wasn't going to get caught out on procedure.